Which agency is responsible for setting biosafety standards in the workplace?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards in the workplace. It plays a vital role in biosafety because it establishes regulations concerning the handling of hazardous materials, including biological agents. OSHA’s primary focus is on employees' safety, which encompasses the protocols, PPE, and training necessary for working with biological hazards. This could include guidelines for laboratory safety, exposure risks, and emergency procedures.

Other agencies, while also integral to public health and safety, focus on different aspects. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily addresses environmental regulations and pollution control rather than direct workplace safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance and recommendations related to public health and infectious diseases but does not enforce workplace safety regulations. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is involved in medical research and funding rather than setting biosafety standards for workplace safety specifically. Thus, OSHA is the correct choice in the context of workplace biosafety standards.